1. Get Productive At Language Learning By Doing Less

“Focus on being productive instead of being busy” – Tim Ferris

All of us language learners would love to be more productive in our studies, but it’s hard to get a good grasp on our goals and deadlines and put in the right amount of time to get the results we want. That’s why I’ve spent the last few months researching the most highly recommended productivity techniques recommended to me. Let’s have a look at being productive at learning Mandarin Chinese.

In this article, I will be giving feedback on the methods, techniques, and ways of thinking that will help you in your pursuit to be more productive at learning Mandarin Chinese.

You’ll learn about:

• How to stay on track by recognizing your own values and motivations from the start;
• A powerful ‘3 rules for the week’ plan;
• How to free up your brain to spot quick opportunities to achieve learning goals.

2. Recognize your own values and motivations from the start

Hold your horses! Before you get started you need to confirm your purpose and the motivation behind why you’re learning Mandarin Chinese. This will help you establish the correct routines that will keep you on the trail to success.

So think about what’s purposeful and meaningful about your motivations to learn Mandarin Chinese.

Here are some examples:

1. To be able to communicate with all my Chinese family members;
2. To be more successful whilst working abroad in China;
3. To integrate better into the country where I now live.

Here’s Why:

If you don’t have these ideas in mind before you start your daily studies, you’ll likely find yourself skipping classes, avoiding speaking in your Mandarin Chinese when the opportunity arises, or, worst of all, dropping your learning routine altogether. So, write down at least 3 reasons now, and there’s a good chance you’ll avoid developing bad habits and poor routines in the long term.

Another good question to ask yourself is: If I had an extra 30 mins every day to study Mandarin Chinese, how would I use it? Say, for example, it would be to memorize how to write a list of important Mandarin Chinese characters. One way to achieve this is by making a smaller goal of messaging a Chinese friend using Mandarin Chinese characters every day. It may not seem like a lot of work but over time it will add up to great results.

The point is we can often find a way, especially with apps, to add a little passive learning to our day casually. But unless you keep this in mind, you might find yourself using up that dead time commuting or waiting in line at Starbucks when you could be studying.

 3. Create 3 Rules (And Follow Them)

Start your week by picking out 3 difficult things that require planning that you want to achieve this week in learning Mandarin Chinese.

3 Difficult Daily Chinese Learning Goals:

1. Understand a complicated grammar pattern
2. Memorize 20 Mandarin Chinese characters, maybe some characters that are confusing
3. Have a conversation with someone on the street in Mandarin Chinese

Then, think of 3 easier goals for today that will bring you closer to getting your weekly goals completed.

3 Easier Daily Chinese Learning Goals:

1. Ask my Chinese teacher to explain and write down many examples of the grammar point that I’m struggling with
2. Write down characters you learned in class, and use whatever learning tool is best for you, perhaps flashcards
3. Figure out what you want to talk to someone about

Having these smaller goals will make you more productive at learning Mandarin Chinese in the long run. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Follow this 3-a-week and 3-a-day rule.

4. Write Your Goals Down In a List

Write a list. Seriously! This continues on from step 2. It’s not difficult but takes no time to jot down in a journal or some fancy app the goals you’ve set yourself. This will take a bigger burden off your brain than you think.

A brain dump is a way of putting your goals out into the world and out of your head. Your brain is much better at problem-solving and spotting new opportunities than it is at remembering lists and goals. Trust it to work subconsciously and check your notes from time to time.

Here’s another way to use those freed-up neurons. When you see a quick win or an easy task, take it on quickly, you’ll spot them with ease now that your goals are written down. Here’s an example. You see a sign written in Mandarin Chinese with one of the Mandarin Chinese characters you’re studying, snap a photo, and research what it means in context while carrying on on your commute or finishing your morning latte.

Final Thoughts

Being a productive learner is not just about getting things done, but being smarter and more opportunistic in achieving your learning goals. Find out what your motivations are and write them down along with your large and smaller goals. Keep focused and flexible and plan a little in advance and let your brain find quick ways to gain you small victories, even in times that would normally be unimportant to you.

We hope this helps in your learning Mandarin Chinese journey!

If you’re interested in starting your Mandarin Chinese learning straight away, have a read about Mandarin Chinese Correlatives here:

https://www.thatsmandarin.com/blog/learn-mandarin-chinese-correlatives/